On Fri, 30 Dec 2005 21:24:59 +0000, Alex Watson
wrote:

Clark W. Griswold, Jr. wrote:
You can buy them anonymously, or you can register your name and address. The
advantage to registering is that any value on the card when lost can be
transfered to a replacement card.

That being true, it's funny how it doesn't happen. The TfL Oyster
replacement forms have a box asking for an estimate of how much your Pre
Pay balance was. Despite my having registered my card and, indeed,
having it with me (I'd sat on it rather than lost it) the station staff
were unable to check the balance on it and just transfer it. Maybe this
was just incompetence, though. I certainly can't think why it would be
necessary if the system was designed well.

If it's any consolation I have just returned from Hong Kong and have
happily used my Octopus card on lots of trips. Unfortunately on my
penultimate journey the card failed completely and would not let me out
of the station. The station assistant readily let me out of the paid
area but trying to get my cash balance back was somewhat amusing. I had
to estimate my balance, net of deposit, and was told that I would get my
money back in 7 days.

As I was leaving the place in about 5 hours that was not entirely
practical so much more faffing around ensued with phone calls and the
station manager being called. More forms, passport checks and then I
got $120HK back - $70 cash and $50 deposit and my card has been
surrendered. Fair play to the MTR for being customer focused and bending
what I assume are the rules that require a time delay while all the
transactions across the various modes are sent into the central clearing
computer and the balance fully ratified. A great shame that the card
failed but even in a more sophisticated and complex set up than Oyster
presently has you still need people and forms and customers being asked
to be truthful.
--
Paul C


Admits to working for London Underground!